Road to Hope

Last updated

Road to Hope is the name of a humanitarian aid convoy from the United Kingdom to Gaza, and of the charitable organisation which arranged that convoy.

Contents

Evolution

Shortly after the Gaza flotilla raid in the summer of 2010, a group of volunteers with shared experience of previous Viva Palestina land-based convoys to Gaza announced that they would be running a politically independent land convoy (as distinct from the inherently politicised nature of George Galloway's Viva Palestina, and from any further flotilla-like sea-based ventures). Their original stated intention was to coincide with an anticipated second Turkish-led attempt to enter Gaza by sea, thus seeing entry attempted by land and sea simultaneously. The project was conceived by former Viva Palestina volunteer Anwar Benny, and convoy leader on the road was aid worker Kieran Turner (of Aid Convoy). Other notable contributions were made by Gloucester to Gaza, the Waltham Forest branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Britain to Gaza of Bristol. [1]

Three days after the Road to Hope announcement, at a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in London, George Galloway announced a new Viva Palestina land convoy, which became known as "Viva Palestina 5". [2] The two projects became aware of each other and each decided that both could run in parallel. When the Turkish-led flotilla failed to happen, the two land convoys would still represent a simultaneous approach of multiple ventures to Gaza.

Convoy

The Road to Hope convoy departed the UK on 10 October 2010 ("10-10-10"), taking with it several volunteers from the Gaza flotilla raid – including seven survivors of the Mavi Marmara – plus other international solidarity organisations. It travelled via France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, before falling victim to internal Libyan political issues together with what was claimed and reported to be the work of a confidence trickster who, they said, told them they would be granted passage through the Egyptian border (normally not possible under Egyptian compliance with the blockade of Gaza) because they would be travelling together with the official Libyan quasi government-run Al Quds 5 convoy — which, as a government-backed enterprise, had exceptional permission to cross Egypt. As a result of the deceit and confusion, Road to Hope became stalled in Libya, where it remained into November 2010. [3]

Strofades IV kidnapping incident

On 11 November 2010, while boarding the M.V. Strofades IV, a ferry chartered to transport the convoy to Al Arish in Egypt, Road to Hope announced that ten members of the convoy, together with seven Libyan port officials, were kidnapped by the ship's owner, with the willing collaboration of its captain. After several days at sea they were eventually taken via Crete to Greece where Greek commandos raided the ship, resulting in their eventual release because they were found to have committed no crime (following investigations by the Greek police). [4] [5] [6] The captain and owner of the ship were also arrested. [7]

Second ship

Eventually, with help from a second bout of UK fundraising together with large donations from Libyan individuals, a second ship was secured. [3] This transported the vehicles and a monitoring delegation of three convoy members, while the other convoy members chartered a flight to Al Arish in Egypt.

The convoy reached Rafah and crossed into Gaza on 26 November 2010. Three of the kidnapped members had been able to rejoin by that point. A total of twelve convoy members were denied access to Egypt (and thus through passage to Gaza) for no stated reason — as has happened to previous Viva Palestina convoy members. [3] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth O'Keefe</span> American-Irish-Palestinian activist

Kenneth Nichols O'Keefe is an American-Irish-Palestinian citizen and activist and former United States marine and Gulf War veteran. In 2001, he set fire to his United States passport. Subsequently, he led the human shield action to Iraq and was a passenger on the MV Mavi Marmara during the Gaza flotilla raid, where he disarmed two of the Israeli commandos who boarded the ship, initiating a confrontation in which ten Turkish activists were killed.

Aid Convoy is a British charitable organisation running and supporting various humanitarian aid projects, mostly in Eastern Europe. Its aims are achieved primarily by means of running convoys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shayetet 13</span> Special operations unit of the Israeli Navy

Shayetet 13 is a unit of the Israeli Navy and one of the primary reconnaissance units of the Israel Defense Forces. Shayetet 13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and boarding. The unit is trained for sea, air and land actions. The unit has taken part in almost all of Israel's major wars, as well as other actions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassan Ghani</span>

Hassan Ghani, is a Scottish broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker, based in London. He has worked in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gaza, Somalia, Turkey and Egypt during the uprising. He has been imprisoned twice by Israel during the course of his work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Gaza Movement</span> Movement challenging the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip

The Free Gaza Movement (FGM) is a coalition of human rights activists and pro-Palestinian groups formed to break Egypt and Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip and publicise the situation of the Palestinians there. FGM has challenged the Israeli–Egyptian blockade by sailing humanitarian aid ships to Gaza. The group has more than 70 endorsers, including the late Desmond Tutu and Noam Chomsky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blockade of the Gaza Strip</span> 2005–present land, sea and air blockade by Israel and Egypt

The restrictions on movement and goods in Gaza imposed by Israel date to the early 1990s. After Hamas took over in 2007, Israel significantly intensified existing movement restrictions and imposed a complete blockade on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip. Egypt began its blockade of Gaza in 2007, shortly after Hamas took control of the territory. The blockade's current stated aim is to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza; previously stated motivations have included exerting economic pressure on Hamas. Human rights groups have called the blockade illegal and a form of collective punishment, as it restricts the flow of essential goods, contributes to economic hardship, and limits Gazans' freedom of movement. The blockade and its effects have led to the territory being called an "open-air prison".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IHH (Turkish NGO)</span> Organization

IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation or İHH is a conservative Turkish GONGO, active in more than 120 countries.

Viva Palestina is a British-based organisation formerly registered as a charity. The body came into being in January 2009 with the initial intention of running a convoy of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Its aims are the "provision from the UK of food, medicine and essential goods and services needed by the civilian population" [of the occupied Palestinian Territories] and "highlighting the causes and results of wars with a view to achieving peace."

Lifeline 3, officially Viva Palestina — a lifeline to Gaza, 3 was a convoy carrying humanitarian aid, solidarity, and a political message. It was led by George Galloway and Viva Palestina, a British charity. It travelled from the United Kingdom to the Gaza Strip during the winter of 2009–10, collecting volunteers and vehicles from other countries along the way, notably Turkey, due to the IHH organisation. The Gaza Strip has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since 2007, when Hamas took power in the territory following its victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza flotilla raid</span> 2010 Israeli military operation against a humanitarian ship convoy

The Gaza flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six civilian ships of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" on 31 May 2010 in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Nine of the flotilla passengers were killed during the raid, with thirty wounded. Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously. The exact sequence of events is contested, in part due to the IDF's confiscation of the passengers' photographic evidence. The flotilla, organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), was carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials, intending to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Reactions to the Gaza flotilla raid on 31 May 2010 ranged from fierce condemnation to strong support for Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza Freedom Flotilla</span> 2010 aid flotilla from Cypriot to Palestinian water

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla was a small fleet of ships organized in 2010 by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH) carrying humanitarian aid and construction materials with the intention of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. In typical circumstances, aid is first brought to Israel to be inspected and then transferred to Gaza.

Kevin Ovenden is a British, left-wing, political activist who was a member of the Respect Party's leadership. He is an organiser of Viva Palestina.

MV Amalthea is a Moldovan-flagged cargo ship owned by A.C.A. Shipping in Greece.

"Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human" was a flotilla that planned to break the maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel by sailing to Gaza on 5 July 2011. Ultimately, the sailing did not take place.

National reactions to the Gaza flotilla raid on 31 May 2010 ranged from support to strong condemnation of Israel. Those supporting Israel generally also expressed concern for the loss of life and injuries to civilians. Criticism included the death and injuries of civilians, the disproportionate response, and the execution of the raid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tauqir Sharif</span> Aid worker

Tauqir Sharif is an aid worker known for his activity in Syria, his involvement in several convoys including the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla and Road to Hope, having his UK citizenship revoked based on accusations of Al-Qaeda affiliation, and his 2020 abduction by an Al Qaeda-aligned Islamist group.

The 2024 Gaza freedom flotilla was an international humanitarian relief effort organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. It brought aid to the Gaza Strip from Turkey in April 2024, during the Israel–Hamas war and Gaza Strip famine. In mid-April, activists from the United States traveled to Turkey with plans to join the flotilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashdod Naval Base</span> Israeli naval base

Ashdod Naval Base also known as Southern Arena by the Israeli Navy is a naval base located in the port city of Ashdod near the Port of Ashdod and plays an important role in the surveillance and blockade of the Gaza Strip as well as protecting the Port of Ashdod.

References

  1. ↑ Britain Gaza link meeting about Road to Hope
  2. ↑ Viva Palestina news
  3. 1 2 3 Brighton and Hove Palestine Campaign local news: Road to Hope convoy to Gaza
  4. ↑ Guardian newspaper 12 November 2010 "Gaza aid convoy Britons held on Greek captain's ship"
  5. ↑ CNN report 13 November 2010 "Gaza-bound ship in limbo in Greece"
  6. ↑ Liverpool Echo newspaper 13 November 2010 "British Aid worker Kieran Turner free after being taken hostage by Greek ship captain"
  7. ↑ "Greece arrests captain who held aid ship". Canada: Windsor Star (from Agence France-Presse). Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  8. ↑ Road to Hope: Mission accomplished
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.